What is Ectopic Pregnancy? What are the Symptoms?

What is an ectopic pregnancy? Ectopic pregnancy is a type of pregnancy that occurs outside the place where the fertilized egg normally attaches in the uterus. Although ectopic pregnancy is most commonly observed in the fallopian tubes, other places where it can occur are the old caesarean section line, the cervix, and the inside of the abdomen. It is commonly seen in 1 in every 100 pregnant women. It is one of the most important causes of pregnancy-related maternal deaths. Previous intra-abdominal infections and surgeries, and the person being protected by an intrauterine device (spiral) are risk factors for ectopic pregnancy.

Ectopic Pregnancy Symptoms

Ectopic pregnancy symptoms can be very similar to normal pregnancy symptoms. Just like a normal pregnancy, menstrual delay, positive pregnancy tests in blood and urine, nausea and vomiting may accompany it. However, low blood pressure, pain in the lower abdomen, and shoulder pain may occur.

Monitoring the B-HCG level in the blood and ultrasonography are used to diagnose ectopic pregnancy. Although B-HCG levels do not increase at the desired rates and B-HCG levels exceed 2000 by transvaginal ultrasonography, the inability to see the gestational sac increases the suspicion of ectopic pregnancy. During the follow-up process of ectopic pregnancy, if it continues to grow in the tubes in which it is located, it will rupture after a while and intra-abdominal bleeding will occur. In this case, areas of intra-abdominal bleeding will be seen on ultrasonography and the pregnant woman will experience internal bleeding that will require emergency surgery.

Ectopic Pregnancy Treatment

Treatment of ectopic pregnancy should be decided according to the patient’s clinical and laboratory results. There are treatment options with medication (methotrexate) or surgery.

Drug treatment is applied in cases where early detection is possible. In the follow-up, caution should be taken in terms of side effects of methotrexate. Surgical treatment of ectopic pregnancy is possible through laparoscopic and laparotomy. It would be best for the following surgeon to decide which one is preferred.

If the patient was treated with medication after an ectopic pregnancy, the patient should be examined before the next planned pregnancy to see if the fallopian tubes will cause the same condition again. In patients who underwent surgery, if the fallopian tube on the side of the ectopic pregnancy had to be removed, pregnancy is possible through the fallopian tube on the other side without the need for an additional method.

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